Rocky Patel: Xen by Nish Patel Box-Pressed Short Robusto

This is the first cigar blended by Nish Patel that I have smoked that I am aware of.  I picked up this Rocky Patel Xen by Nish Patel at Cigar Train the other day for the drive home but didn't smoke it until the next day.

Quick Details

• Cigar Size: 4  x 54 Short Robusto
• Wrapper:  Ecuadorian Connecticut
• Binder: Nicaraguan
• Filler: Secret filler core blend
• Cutting Method: Colibri V-Cutter
• Paired with: Diet Pepsi
• Price: $6.99 purchased at Cigar Train

This Xen by Nish Patel had very good overall construction. The smooth Connecticut wrapper was put on with seamless care and there were only the finest of veins present. Cold aromas from the foot were a mixture of sweet tea and toast. Once the cap was clipped with my Colibri V-cutter the smooth, free cold draw tasted like sweet tea.

After the cigar was toasted and burning the first draws yielded a flavor mixture of mild bodied oak and sugar. As the burn progressed I could taste brown sugar, cream, coffee and a mild sweet spice that lingered on my palate. The long finish came into play just past the half way point when the flavor mix shifted to a medium bodied mix that tasted a lot like coffee with extra cream and extra sugar. Testing the retro hale I found a mild dose of black pepper.

Burn wise this cigar again was pretty good leaving behind a soft light gray ash that held on past the 1/3 point. The body was packed a bit softer than most cigars I smoke, but it wasn't a problem and the cigar never burned hot.
I did have one small problem. Right after lighting the cigar, my lips pulled off a dime sized chunk of the thin Connecticut wrapper  just below the cap. The binder held fast and the wrapper didn't unwind so all was well.

Over all this was a nice mild/medium cigar that would make a nice breakfast/morning coffee cigar. If you are new to cigars, or like them mild, this Xen by Nish Patel would be a great stick for you to try.

Rated: 91

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